Author: Sterling Hawkins
You can turn an unpredictable world into predictable results. It comes down to the practices we have in our businesses and with those around us. Even though we might not be able to predict the exact timing of a breakthrough, the practices create the conditions necessary to have a breakthrough, even making that breakthrough inevitable […]
You can turn an unpredictable world into predictable results. It comes down to the practices we have in our businesses and with those around us. Even though we might not be able to predict the exact timing of a breakthrough, the practices create the conditions necessary to have a breakthrough, even making that breakthrough inevitable over time.
Seal Island, South Africa. One of the most renowned places in the world to see sharks.
We’ve been out on the ocean for over 4 hours before this photo was taken. And it’s only about 8am so it was an early morning (or maybe a late night depending on how you think about it). The ocean was empty. No other divers. No other boats except for a small local fishing boat. No sharks either. No big fish. Nothing but thousands of penguins on a little island and all the smells that went with them.
There are all sorts of waivers you sign prior. Not just signing away your safety, but also agreeing that if you don’t see sharks you don’t get a refund. And I’ve just about given up. We agree to give it about 10 more minutes so I sit on the side of the boat with my feet in the water inside the cage.
We’ve all been here in business or life, haven’t we? A little bit resigned that this is just the way it is and there’s not much to do about it.
Then there’s screaming. About 18 inches (yes inches) to my left a 14′ shark has leaped out of the water and was hanging from a rope that used to hold the bait. I freeze. Literally could not move. As the screaming comes into focus, they’re yelling at me to get in the water. I later learned where I am on the edge is more dangerous right now than inside the cage. At the time though, I was thinking: “are these people crazy?! This can’t be the best time to get into the water”.
Seconds later I trusted them enough to jump in… once under water the shark came down and when I looked into it’s big black eyes a total peace and calm came over me. And fear was gone. It seems like that’s always how it is: endless waiting for the right moment. Fear as it becomes a reality. And suddenly a new normal.
The unpredictability of those moments is the interesting part. Nobody could have guaranteed sharks. Nobody can predict the future. 2020 has been a masterclass lesson on that.
We’re not powerless though. What we can do is build predictability into the unpredictability by focusing on our cultural practices. In shark diving it was knowing where to be and when. It was using a certain kind of bait and moving it in a specific way. The crew knew they had created the conditions of success and that’s why they stayed at the ready even though we had given up. They knew success could happen in any moment and they’d be immediately ready to respond.
In business, it’s things like what do we do with failure? Do people provide real feedback? Even how people interact in meetings. When effective practices are in place, it creates the conditions for breakthrough results regardless of the circumstances. And it can happen even when you least expect it.
What are your practices? As an individual or as a company? When those practices create the environment to yield success, it’s only a matter of time.
Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Twitter
The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.
In organizational culture, there are two types of people: those who look for reasons to be offended, and those who look for ways to understand others. The former type tends to lash out at coworkers, saying cruel things in private or criticizing them in public. They seek revenge on their managers if they feel they […]
I have heard I’m not really a water-person statement so many times. But what does it really mean? You come from water, you drink water, and it turns out – water knows you very well whether or not you want to be part of the relationship. We are all water people, you might just not […]
What’s Your New Year’s Addiction? Here are 6 Simple Steps To Avoid Changing Who You Are and Instead, Changing Your Addictions. It happened for years. Too often I would come home from work, open the refrigerator, then the freezer. I’d sigh and think, “F*ck, I have no idea what to make for dinner.” Sometimes I’d […]
Drink more water! About 60-70% of the body is made of water, so drinking enough of it helps maintain the body’s fluid balance. This assists in transporting the relevant nutrients throughout the body, helps to regulate body temperature, and is a vital ingredient in good digestion. Besides flushing out toxins and maintaining regular bowel habits, […]
I attend a lot of WHY EVENTS MUST ALWAYS HOST all over Australia as a professional speaker and I have noticed a trend of WHY EVENTS MUST ALWAYS HOST WELCOME TO COUNTRY. When events are hosted by government, they are always opened with a Welcome to Country from a local indigenous person. At the very […]
In this age of constant digital innovations and disruption with the future of events, the value of digital elements across the board has become evident. With continuous learning and development, digital activities have become ingrained in the fabric of humanity. However, it is vital, especially, in the age of information that brands and organisations lead […]
Rebel technologists thrive when a couple of key environmental factors are in place The first thing is budget. Making sure that you can find the necessary budget to be able to instil these changes is an ideal starting point. If you aren’t working towards some kind of return on investment, somewhere along the line, why should […]
This is a great article on Bringing the mountains home which addresses employee happiness and developing a beneficial culture that contributes to a business’ success. *** Written by Travis Gale, CEO of Appletree Catalyst Agency, which discusses how to deal with end-of-year burnout and how to ‘Bringing the mountains home’. This past festive season, I […]
Our Mission
© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME
